Zille’s R37m boost to fire-fighting capacity

TEN PURPOSE- built fire engines have been commissioned to combat blazes in rural municipalities across the province, said Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

She made the announcement during her State of the Province addresses yesterday.

“This is a huge boost to rural areas where to date the fire- fighting capacity was severely limited. This initiative forms part of a three-year project to invest R37m in the province’s fire-fighting capacity.

“Since 2012, we’ve gone from eight to 26 fire-fighting aircraft operating across 31 runways,” she said.

“These resources have meant that, for five years running now, 97% of fires could be brought under control within the first hour of being reported.”

Zille added Western Cape residents owed a great debt of gratitude to its firefighters.

Zille also issued a word of warning to arsonists.

“It is impossible to establish with any certainty the cause of most of these fires, but we know that a great many have to do with human agency, whether by accident or ill-intent. We will support the rel- evant authorities to use the full force of the law to track down and deal with any alleged arsonists who endanger the lives and livelihoods of so many.”

She said that throwing cigarette butts out of car windows should be regarded as attempted arson.

“With our winds, it merely takes a spark to land on a patch of dry grass, and become a raging inferno. A quick response is the best way to contain the blaze. But hoax calls and false alarms, create enormous problems. Members of the public should help, not hinder, our emergency services.”

Zille also paid tribute to firefighter Reinard Geldenhuys from Overstrand during her State of the Province address.

“Reinard is rated by his colleagues as probably the best wild land fire officer in the country.

“He has commanded major fire operations during the past few years including the Houwhoek fire last year, and the Grabouw fires this season,” she said.

“Together with Etienne du Toit, he is responsible for leading the entire provincial planning for the fire season each year.”